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Selcuk |
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 The
town, located on the western edge of the Aegean Region of Turkey lies 73
kilometres south of İzmir on the Izmir-Aydın highway and 9 km.east of
Pamucak, which is on the seashore and has clean natural sandy beaches
and crystal clear waters. Selcuk has an area of 295 square kilometres.
In the region Mediterranean climate is dominant. The cultivation of
cotton, olives, grapes, and citrus fruits is the driving forces in the
economy in addition to the tourism industry. The town can house about
10.000 visitors.
The town can be reached by air via the Adnan Menderes Airport at İzmir
or by the Selcuk - Ephesus Airfield. The ports at Kusadasi and İzmir
facilitate sea travel. Because of it is location on a major highway; the
bus connections are frequent and direct. Selcuk has rail connections to
the neighbouring cities and towns. Selcuk, the beginning of whose
history dates back to 6000 B.C., is an important center for three
religions, all of which spread throughout the world.
It was first a center of pagan worship in the polytheist world of
antiquity. The Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World
is a good example of this. Christianity was disseminated from Selcuk by
St. John and his disciples. The Church of Virgin Mary, the tomb of St.
John, The Church of Virgin Mary, which was the church where the
Ecumenical Council of 431 was held are important buildings from this
period. Besides there are many synagogues which have not been excavated
yet.
The ancient site of Ephesus occupies an area of 18km2 and the
excavations have been carried for 130 years. Up to now only 10% of the
city has been unearthed and the rest still lies under the ground.
The İsa Bey Mosque, İsa Bey Baths and The Monumental Tomb (Kümbet) are
significant examples of architecture from the Islamic era.
Besides the historical richness around the area, Selcuk is worth seeing
with the places of superb natural beauty surrounding the town. The
village “Sirince” is the one that attracts every visitor with its
spectacular view from a mountain in the 8km east of Selcuk. The Camel
Wrestling Festival, performed in the third weekend of January lasting in
one day, attract both participants and visitors |
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